title: Biometric Analysis - A Reliable Indicator for Diagnosing Taurodontism using Panoramic Radiographs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Taurodontism is a clinical entity with a morpho-anatomical change in the shape of the tooth, which was thought to be absent in modern man. Taurodontism is mostly observed as an isolated trait or a component of a syndrome. Various techniques have been devised to diagnose taurodontism.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze whether a biometric analysis was useful in diagnosing taurodontism, in radiographs which appeared to be normal on cursory observations.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was carried out in our institution by using radiographs which were taken for routine procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, panoramic radiographs were obtained from dental records of children who were aged between 9-14 years, who did not have any abnormality on cursory observations. Biometric analyses were carried out on permanent mandibular first molar(s) by using a novel biometric method. The values were tabulated and analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fischer exact probability test, Chi square test and Chi-square test with Yates correction were used for statistical analysis of the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cursory observation did not yield us any case of taurodontism. In contrast, the biometric analysis yielded us a statistically significant number of cases of taurodontism. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the number of cases with taurodontism, which was obtained between the genders and the age group which was considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, taurodontism was diagnosed on a biometric analysis, which was otherwise missed on a cursory observation. It is therefore necessary from the clinical point of view, to diagnose even the mildest form of taurodontism by using metric analysis rather than just relying on a visual radiographic assessment, as its occurrence has many clinical implications and a diagnostic importance.
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Pathology, SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital , Sattur, Dharwad: 580009, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Veda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.forename: Rajesh Trayambhak
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Anegundi
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Pravinchandra
keywords: Bull teeth; Large pulp chambers; Molars; Panoramic radiographs; Tooth abnormalities